Full Description
The Evaluative Study of Action Research presents all eight published papers as part of the six-year, global, Evaluative Study of Action Research (ESAR) in one volume. The study sought to enhance the academic rigour of Action Research (AR) and provide greater evidence of its impact.
This research contained in this book shows, in a cohesive way, how the ESAR exemplifies original research incorporating new methodologies to create new knowledge. An Evaluative AR framework and indicators were created for initial qualitative data collection with six initial case studies using interviews, survey, documentary analysis, and Goal Attainment Scaling methods. The initial study was followed by a large-scale mixed method survey with 174 projects from across the globe. Almost all projects exhibited positive elements linked to AR precursors (focus clarification, stakeholder engagement, funding), processes (phased, planned yet flexible activity, data collection and analysis, ongoing collaboration and leadership), and outcomes/impacts (change, knowledge mobilisation and continuing action). The results of the ESAR, elaborated in this volume, offer important indications for how to create the sort of respectful engagement that is required for collective strength in solution based, innovative, change.
This book will be a valuable resource for: action researchers throughout the world; postgraduate research students, academics and libraries; evaluators; and anyone in communities who wishes to know how to create sustainable change.
Contents
1. Introduction 2. Conceptualizing Indicator Domains for Evaluating Action Research 3. Action Research Networks: Role and Purpose in the Evaluation of Research Outcomes and Impacts 4. Developing a Framework for Research Evaluation in Complex Contexts Such as Action Research 5. Developmental Progress in Conducting Action Research 6. Goal Attainment Scaling in Action Research: Enhancing a Systems Thinking Orientation 7. Struggling to Achieve Desired Results from Your AR Projects? Insights from the Evaluative Study of Action Research May Help 8. Thumbs Up for Action Research in Case Studies from the Evaluative Study of Action Research 9. Leadership Within Action Research: Surfacing the Collective Nature of Leadership 10. Conclusion and Reflections
